Understanding the Human Volcano: What Teens Can Do About Violence

Rating:
Summary: A Book for Teens/Violence Prevention Discussion Leaders
Review: In "Understanding the Human Volcano" Earl Hipp writes clearly and simply on the complex issue of violence in today's world. In describing the many faces of violence he includes memorable images and a basic vocabulary of psychological terms that will serve a young reader for life.

Hipp speaks directly to the reader as he outlines what teens and adults can do to understand, and prevent violence in their own lives and in their community. I felt his caring on every page. He never talks down to kids.

The dynamic cover and many illustrations by L. K. Hanson visually underscore the points made in Hipp's organization of topics, open questions, and answers from teen correspondents. A school or church group discussion leader will find this book a vital, workable resource that keeps the reader riveted, the discussions flowing.

We will never know the number of lives this book on this topic will change, but I am sure life changes will come about. I'm going to read it again! I'm accepting Hipp's challenge to keep the faith, to work with others and to take practical steps to reduce the violence in our world.

Rating:
Summary: An informative text with cogent quotes & poignant stories
Review: Understanding The Human Volcano: What Teens Can Do About Violence is a valued and important contribution to understanding the issues involved with adolescent violence -- its causes, containment, and amelioration. Psychotherapist Earl Hipp enhances his "reader friendly" and informative text with cogent quotes, poignant stories, and line-drawn illustrations throughout in order to help teens understand the changes that threaten their safety and the practical steps necessary to reduce the violence in their world. The message of Understanding The Human Volcano is a hopeful one of encouragement, that when teens and those that love them can, in fact, make their community a safer place in which to learn, grow, live, and thrive. Understanding The Human Volcano is a highly recommended addition to every high-school, community center, family counseling resource, and community library adolescent behavior reference collection.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been better
Review: While this book has some pluses, such as the quotes from real teens, the author overwhelmingly considers teens to be perpetrators of violence, not victims. This viewpoint stunningly ignores the power imbalances that are present in much of the violence kids experience. Gender-based violence is not even addressed in the book (go ahead, try to find a mention of sexual harrassment, dating violence or rape). For a teen girl whose boyfriend is abusive the advice she would get from the chapter on relationships is "develop anger-management skills". She would probably miss the vague advice to "develop assertiveness skills". I would not recommend this book for teen girls or for adults who work with teen girls, especially girls who have been victims of violence.